Description
Turkey Picadillo is a flavorful, lean ground turkey dish simmered with a vibrant sofrito of fresh vegetables, olives, and spices. This quick and healthy recipe blends savory tomato sauce, aromatic cumin, and bay leaves for a comforting meal perfect over rice or cauliflower rice. Ideal for meal prep, it offers a balanced mix of protein and bold Latin-inspired flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 1.33 lb 93% lean ground turkey
Sauce and Seasonings
- 4 oz tomato sauce (1/2 can)
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 2 small bay leaves
- 2 tbsp green Spanish pitted olives
- 2 tbsp olive brine (from olives)
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 medium tomato
- 1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp red bell pepper, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp cilantro (optional)
Instructions
- Brown the Turkey: Heat a large sauté pan over medium heat and add the ground turkey. Season with kosher salt and ground black pepper to taste. Use a wooden spoon to break up the meat into small pieces, stirring occasionally until browned and cooked through.
- Prepare the Sofrito: While the turkey cooks, finely chop the onion, garlic, red bell pepper, tomato, and cilantro (if using). This can be expedited by using a mini chopper or food processor.
- Combine Sofrito and Turkey: Once the turkey is browned, reduce the heat to low. Add the sofrito mixture to the pan and stir well to combine, allowing the vegetables to soften and meld with the meat.
- Add Olives and Seasonings: Stir in the green Spanish olives along with about 2 tablespoons of the olive brine for enhanced flavor, then add the ground cumin and bay leaves. Adjust seasoning with additional salt if needed.
- Simmer with Tomato Sauce: Pour in the tomato sauce and add 1/4 cup water to the pan. Mix thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
- Final Simmer: Cover the pan and reduce the heat to low. Let the mixture simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, to develop the flavors and allow the sauce to thicken slightly.
Notes
- Turkey picadillo is excellent for meal prepping and stores well.
- Serve with brown rice, quinoa, white rice, or cauliflower rice for a low-carb option.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 6 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
- Calories: 238
- Sugar: 2.5 g
- Sodium: 354 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 7.5 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 29 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg
